Hey Day Camper Parents! Check Out The 4 Things We Love To Do Near Mt Hood

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From berry picking to waterfall hikes, Mt. Hood and the surrounding Oregon area pack a special punch in the summer months. For parents looking for a morning outing or the day camper in need of the perfect ice cream cone after skiing, check out our list of 4 things we love to do near Mt. Hood.

1. Explore The Local Trail Systems

One of our favorite ways to spend an afternoon after skiing on the Mt. Hood glacier is going for a hike. For our dryland programming, we love taking athletes on the Mirror Lake Trail Hike where they can find stunning views, a refreshing swim, and freshwater crawdads- always an exciting sighting!

For a slightly longer adventure, hiking to the Tamanawas Falls is never a disappointment.

If you are into mountain biking, we would recommend driving 20 minutes north to check out the trails at Sandy Ridge. The best mountain biking in the area requires a slightly longer, but very worthwhile, drive to Post Canyon in Hood River, OR.

Don’t forget to purchase a northwest forest permit at a local gas station to access these trailheads!

2. Visit a Farm Stand

The fresh fruit, homegrown lavender, and baked goods of the local farm stands are outstanding. If you drive on Oregon Route 35 between Government Camp and Hood River, you will find a variety of roadside farm stand options. We specifically love going to the Draper Girls Farm. This makes for a delicious and very fun afternoon outing!

3. Check out the Columbia River Gorge 

Just an hour drive from Mt Hood, the Columbia River Gorge is a world famous destination for water sports. Rent stand up paddle boards or kayaks to escape the dry Oregon heat, try something new and take a kiteboarding or windsurfing lesson, or keep it simple and have a one of a kind beach day with snowy mountain views!

4. Get a sweet treat at Volcano Cones

The classic- and truly unbeatable- post skiing activity at Mt Hood is visiting Volcano Cones, a local ice cream truck. With a variety of flavors, the kindest staff, and the crunchiest waffle cones, it is a crowd favorite for a good reason. You can find Volcano Cones across from the Govy General Store on Government Camp Loop!